The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-11-17

roneous impression that the issue
was one of authority alone, and
that 1 had refused to execute
This diversion of the issue from one of
legal construction to one of authority
and INSTRUMENTATION is the substitution
of force for argument; diversion or
the public mind from the merits of the
case. and if not resisted by me in this
presentation to you, would be the sup
preston by that power OF a proper and
considerable effort on my part as the
commissioner of the general land office
to secure in the public interest an inn
partial hearing before the secretary of
the interior on a purely legal question,
affecting the administration of the Of
fee with which am charged. The of
fee of commissioner of the general
land office has been one of
intense labor, imposing a constant
sense of high responsibility. Having
sought it at your hands / have con-
tinued to hold it only out of a sense Of
duty with a view of effecting some
good to the public. have endeavored
to discharge my full duty in it. In the
face of many Disbursements, and
much calumny and abuse from those
whose interests were to defeat the poll
cies persued have believed my line of
reason for the belief that it met your
approval. If these decisions forshadow
change in official policy on this sub
lect, knowing well what this VIII mean
in practical application, could not,
of course, with my sense of duty, be the
instrument to effect the change. Having
ever las now, regarded the commission
hold from you as subject to your recall,
and desiring to relieve you OF any
possible embarrassment l herewith
tender you my resignation OF the Of
flee of the commissioner of the general
land office, and ask its early accept
ance and in thus Severing my connec-
ton with your administration, l beg to
assure you of my earnest wish that the
same wisdom, firmness and integrity
that has thus far so eminently marked
your administration, may continue TO
enhance you in the estimation of your
countrymen. Very respectfully,
WILLIAM A. J. SPARKS.
sHERIDAN'S REPORT.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15-Lieutenant
General =. II. Sheridan has presented
his annual reportI to the secretary OF
war. From the report it appears that
at the date of the last consolidated re-
turns the army consisted of 1900 Of
ficers, and "a, 236 men, including Indian
scouts. The Lieutenant-General briefly
sums up the condition of the various
divisions of the army and of the D1vls-
ion of the Missouri says that while it
has been free from Indian hostility of
any magnitude many operations of
minor nature have been rendered neceS-
sary. Troops have been continually
occupied in patrolling the Oklahoma
country and have been successful IN
keeping intruders out of that region.
The gradual spread of railroads
throughout the territory can, however,
have but one effect, and General
Sheridan is now of the opinion that
Congress may we'll consider the advisa-
bility of opening up portions at least
of this country to settlement. The
General reviews the difficulties aris-
ing in August last in Colorado near the
Uncompahagre indian reserva-
ton, and their determination through
the intercession of Lieutenant Burnett
| with small detachment of the Ninth
Cavalry. He also touches upon
the recent trouble occurring
on the Crow Indian reservation in
Montana, and its settlement by
restless young among the Crows the re-
port says General Ruger has been
authorized to enlist about thirty of
their number as scouts and take
| them to Fl. Custer. The Crows
| have always been friendly,
! and make it boast that they
have never killed white man and it
would be great pity if anything should
now occur to disturb the peaceful re-
lations of SO long standing, and Cen
eral Sheridan is confident that General
Ruger will be able to effect a perma-
nant settlement that will be satisfac-
! tory to the government. In regard
| to the concentration of the
army in the larger posts
the report says that the work on the
new post at Denver, where it is pro-
| shortly be commenced. That at San
Antonio has been progressing favor
| ably during the year. The ground for
the new post near Chicago will pass in
| to the possession of the government at
an early day, and at Fort
Smelling both the reservation and other
attendant conditions are favorable for
| the establishment of large garrison,
and only some additional buildings are
required for that accommodation. The
reconstruction of Fort Riley has been
actively prosecuted during the year but
before it can be completed adj
ditional appropriations will be
necessary. No other post in
| the country possesses such advan-
tages for the location for school of
practice for light batteries and cavalry
exercises and since its ablishment
for these purposes has been authorized
by congress it has been deemed but
true economy to erect only
buildings of a substantial and perma-
nent nature, so that with the new
| equipment of breech loading, steel
field guns, metal carriages and i'm
proved harness now being manu-
featured by the ordinance department
the service will probably derive marked
benefit from this station for a number
of years.
General Sheridan does not look ia
vorably upon the proposition
of General Miles to separate the
Indians now at San Carlos into several
camps about 100 or 200 miles apart,
deeming it for the best interest of the
| territory of Arizona, and of the Indians
themselves, that they should be kept in
one body and the duties necessary fol
their control conferred at a single point